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Colorado Blue Columbine

Aquilegia Caerulea

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Overview

Aquilegia caerulea, or Colorado Blue Columbine, is a perennial native to the Rocky Mountains. It features delicate blue and white flowers, with distinct spurs, that bloom in late spring to early summer. This shade-tolerant species reaches 1.5 to 3 feet in height and spreads 1 to 2 feet. Preferring moist, well-drained soil, it attracts pollinators and tolerates elevations up to 12,000 feet. USDA zones 3-8.

Sun Full, HalfWater MediumZones 3–10Type PerennialClimate Temperate
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — Aquilegia caerulea, or Colorado Blue Columbine, is a perennial native to the Rocky Mountains
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — protecting it from intense heat.<br><br>Aquilegia caerulea prefers well-drainedColorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — It features delicate blue and white flowers, with distinct spurs, that bloom in late spring to early, image 58Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — moist soils and typically has a moderate to fast growth rate; it does require occasional watering duringColorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — which often span 2 to 3 inches in diameterColorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — consider planting it in drifts or clumpsColorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — This helps to mimic the natural lighting conditions of its alpine habit; contributing to the overall aesthetic+73

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Medium
USDA zones
3–10

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Perennial
Family
Ranunculaceae
Climate
Temperate

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Photos (80)

Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — Aquilegia caerulea, or Colorado Blue Columbine, is a perennial native to the Rocky Mountains
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — protecting it from intense heat.<br><br>Aquilegia caerulea prefers well-drained
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — It features delicate blue and white flowers, with distinct spurs, that bloom in late spring to early, image 58
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — moist soils and typically has a moderate to fast growth rate; it does require occasional watering during
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — which often span 2 to 3 inches in diameter
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — consider planting it in drifts or clumps
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — This helps to mimic the natural lighting conditions of its alpine habit; contributing to the overall aesthetic
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — consist of five backward-pointing spurs and an inner ring of white petals
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — perennial for full or half
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — Preferring moist, well-drained soil, it attracts pollinators and tolerates elevations up to 12,000 feet; it does
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — Be aware that while it is relatively low maintenance; it does require occasional watering during extended dry
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — This shade-tolerant species reaches 1.5 to 3 feet in height and spreads 1 to 2 feet
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — contributing to the overall aesthetic of the plant
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — consist of five backward-pointing spurs and an inner ring of white petals; preferring moist, well-drained soil
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — moist soils and typically has a moderate to fast growth rate
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — It features delicate blue and white flowers, with distinct spurs, that bloom in late spring to early summer
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — it does require occasional watering during extended dry periods; preferring moist, well-drained soil, it
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — bringing a striking splash of color when many other perennials are just beginning to emerge; it does require
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — It flourishes in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — perennial for full or half; it does require occasional watering during extended dry periods
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — Aquilegia caerulea, or Colorado Blue Columbine, is a perennial native to the Rocky Mountains, image 57
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — airy appearance and are supported on slender
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — consider planting it in drifts or clumps; contributing to the overall aesthetic of the plant
Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia Caerulea) — blue-green leaves are compound and have a fern-like texture; contributing to the overall aesthetic of the plant
Photographs by 13 contributors

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